Reason for a Change-Mitch’s Blog

These links are ordered by the date I get them, the top being the latest. There are links at the bottom that refer to the general strike way back in 2006.

Mining Journal (same reporting as some of the others, just interesting where you find stuff)

Friends of Guinea on blogspot

Here is a link to an IOL story from Zambia.

This may be the big one for Guinea, Conte is in bad health, and is firmly aligned only with the rich and powerful, you get a personal Get Out of Jail Free card if you are rich enough.

And this just in from the Angola Press:
Trade unions threaten indefinite strike in Guinea

Conakry, Guinea, 01/05 - Guinea`s two major trade unions — the National Confederation of the Guinean Workers (CNTG) and the Trade Union of the Guinean Workers (USTG) — Wednesday threatened to observe an indefinite general strike beginning 10 January to protest “interference by president Lansana Cont` in judicial matters”.

On 10 December 2006, Cont` personally visited the Conakry prison and released his friend, Mamadou Sylla, executive manager of the Futurelec Group, and the ex-minister of youth and sports, Fod` Soumah, respectively detained on charges of embezzlement and complicity of embezzlement of public funds.

Last June, the Guinean trade unions held a general strike over for salary arrears. The strike coincided with the end of year exams boycotted by the teachers. Security forces then trying to quell the strike shot dead more than 20 students in several parts of the country.

The personal intervention of Mamadou Sylla, chairman of the Guinean employers, brought the strike to end.

General Strike 2006
IRIN-UN
website, March 3, 2006

AFROL News

Oh my gosh, one week till departure, and Emma got a phone call that departure is delayed at least till the end of January due to the teachers’ strike in Guinea, and with an old dictator holding on to power, this could mean some longer lasting problems. What a mess. She is not working, no health insurance, and being asked to tread water. Maybe this will lead to something better, who knows.

Today is Emma’s last shift as a barisita, then all her energy will go towards preparing for Guinea Conkari and the backcountry life she will be living as a PVC (Peace Corp Volunteer, not plastic pipe!). Planting trees, organic gardening, native species cultivation, all these are possible after the there month training period in the farmlands inland of Conkari in the town of Forecariah

Well, Emma got another letter from the Peace Corps yesterday, and it mentioned solar chargers, so I spent hours reading specs and looking at websites, and found just what was needed. We are going with the Solio from England, very elegant, with the added benefit of an internal battery. I found a good AA/AAA charger that will charge from 12V, and a similar adaptor for her camera battery, both of which will charge from the Solio. I found a great site for all kinds of solar stuff: Sundance Solar, and they sent it the day I ordered online. I especially like the powerfilm foldable charger, it looks great.